OpenAI Plans One-Gigawatt Data Center in India

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is preparing to significantly expand its global infrastructure footprint with plans to establish a large-scale data center in India. According to Bloomberg News, the facility would have a minimum capacity of one gigawatt, making it one of the most ambitious data infrastructure projects tied to artificial intelligence in the region.

The move comes as India becomes OpenAI’s second-largest market by user base and a focal point for its international expansion strategy. The company, backed by Microsoft, has formally registered as a legal entity in India and begun building a local workforce. In August, OpenAI confirmed it would open its first Indian office in New Delhi later this year, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the country.

Details on the precise location and construction timeline for the data center have not been disclosed, though speculation is mounting that CEO Sam Altman could reveal more when he visits India in September.

India and the Global AI Ecosystem

Industry observers view the initiative as part of OpenAI’s broader Stargate program, a global AI infrastructure push announced earlier this year. The Stargate effort, unveiled in January with backing from SoftBank, Oracle, and OpenAI itself, is tied to a projected $500 billion investment in next-generation AI facilities.

For India, the development signals a potential step change in its role within the global AI ecosystem. With its skilled technical workforce, expanding digital economy, and growing demand for AI-powered services, the country has emerged as a natural hub for investment. A gigawatt-scale data center would not only serve OpenAI’s operational needs but could also accelerate regional access to advanced AI capabilities.

If realized, the project would highlight how competition in AI is increasingly intertwined with the race to build massive, power-intensive digital infrastructure capable of supporting next-generation workloads.